Welcome to my newsletter for Poplar and Limehouse, the best way to keep up to date on some of the things I get up to as your Member of Parliament. If you are a constituent and would like to get in touch, please feel free to send me an email: jim.fitzpatrick.mp@parliament.uk along with your name and address.

I'd like to wish all constituents a Happy Christmas and the very best for 2018.

Best wishes,

Jim

Brexit

In the last week before the Christmas break, Brexit was again at the top of the agenda. On Monday, Theresa May made a statement to MPs on negotiations and then on Wednesday, the EU (Withdrawal) Bill was debated in the Commons for the eighth day and final time this year.
The Bill will return to the Commons in January.

Ban on leaseholds for new build houses

The APPG on Leasehold Reform, of which I am co-chair, registered a huge victory as the government announced they would introduce a ban on leaseholds for almost all new build houses. Following the announcement, I took part in a Commons debate on 'Leasehold reform and abuses' and raised the issue of residents being forced to pay for fire safety measures and remedial cladding work following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower.
Follow the links to watch or read the debate in full or skip to my contribution here.

Deafness and Hearing Loss debate

Last month I opened a debate on 'Deafness and Hearing Loss' - the first time a parliamentary debate was interpreted into sign language. This week I met with House of Commons authorities to see what could be done to make this a more regular feature.
Please click on the image above to watch the debate in full, with subtitles and sign language.

Compensation to victims of terrorism

At a debate on 'Government support for UK victims of IRA terrorism' last week I made the case that compensation should be made available for those affected. An example of such an attack was the 'Canary Wharf' bombing in 1996, during which 2 people were killed and over 100 injured.
For clarity, I refer to the incident as the 'Canary Wharf' bombing as it's known in the press and by government but as constituents rightly point out, it's known as the 'South Quay' or 'Docklands' bombing locally.
Follow the links to watch or read the debate in full or skip to my contribution here.